The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Endorsement of Republican Candidate Matt Wolfe for City Council (April 9, 2015):

The most promising candidate in the field is University City attorney Matt Wolfe, who ran unsuccessfully for Council in a special election last year. Wolfe has the skills to communicate a Republican perspective and offer balance that is sorely lacking on Council despite the presence of GOP incumbents. Part of an energetic group trying to raise the party’s profile in the city, he has been a deputy state attorney general and chief counsel for the state labor department, government experience that promises to make him a quick study in the city’s legislature.

The Philadelphia Daily News Endorsement of Republican Candidate Matt Wolfe for City Council (May 14, 2015):

REPUBLICAN at-large Council members could be pitied for holding some of the loneliest jobs in City Hall. That said, the two slots for Republicans on Council can be important, not just to carve out issues that might otherwise be ignored, but as loyal opposition to follow-the-leader members of the majority party.

The current incumbents, David Oh and Dennis O’Brien, alas haven’t provided that role when it was most needed: calling for public hearings on the proposed PGW sale to UIL. They fell in with their colleagues in letting the deal die without explanation or full airing of the issues. For that reason, we recommend the five picks for the two at-large seats go to the challengers, all of whom represent fine choices. They include Matt Wolfe, an attorney who ran for a Council seat last year.

The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Endorsement of Republican Candidate for Philadelphia City Council Candidate Matt Wolfe (May 16, 2014 – Special Election):

Bill Green’s decision to leave City Council for the School Reform Commission left a void. His emphasis on fiscal issues as an at-large councilman put the interests of the whole city first.

Fortunately for voters, one candidate in Tuesday’s special election to finish Green’s term is well-prepared to fill that void immediately: MATT WOLFE, an attorney with experience in city and state government who can do more than talk about cutting taxes and bringing back jobs.

Wolfe is no political naif. But the ward leader and chairman of the University City Republican Committee would let ideas rather than partisan politics dictate his priorities in trying to make Philadelphia a better city.

The same could not be said for his principal opponent, Ed Neilson, who as a state legislator has accomplished little other than to carry water for the city’s Democratic machine. After telling the Inquirer Editorial Board how important public education is to him, Neilson could not recall how he voted on an important sales-tax extension for schools.

Matt Wolfe for City Council

A Special election is being held May 20 to fill the vacancy in City Council as Councilman at Large Bill Green was appointed to the School Reform Commission. This will not be a primary election as with other candidates on this ballot, but a final election to fill the remainder of the term vacated by Mr. Green.

Although the Democratic City Committee held a back room meeting and “appointed” Edward Neilsen as a favored candidate for the seat, with not one ward leader voicing an opinion otherwise, we endorse long serving community activist Matthew Wolfe of West Philadelphia for that position.

Sending a message to one of the most corrupt political machines in the United States, recently – on our regularly scheduled radio program- we also endorsed Matt Wolfe of West Philadelphia to fill the vacant seat in City Council in the upcoming Special Election. Mr. Wolfe is a long term activist resident of his community, a ward leader in the Republican Party and a continued supporter of election reform in this city. He has sponsored and argued for many reform measures in Pennsylvania courts and submitted to the public position papers on multiple issues. His history with city government issues stands for itself.

On the other hand, the typical Democratic Machine ran a dog and pony show, eliminated any primary discussion whatsoever, and “did a favor” by essentially giving the seat to a State Representative who lost his in the redistricting process. Are we to believe that no one in this huge Democratic Party, with an 88% voter registration advantage, wanted to throw their hat in the ring for a City Council seat? Not one ward leader had a differing opinion on who might offer some more experienced perspective from a Council seat?

No, you don’t dare ask a question in the Democratic Politburo, and perish the thought a primary vote would have to be taken. There are two good reasons for voting in Matt Wolfe and upsetting this manipulative process. One is that Matt Wolfe is eminently qualified, and second, Brady and His Band of Bandits need a lesson; hopefully the first of many.